PWDA’s response to the consultation draft of Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy
25 October 2024
PWDA welcomed the opportunity to provide a response to the consultation draft of Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (‘consultation draft’). We thank the members of the National Suicide Prevention Office’s (NSPO) Lived Experience Partnership Group and the Advisory Board for their work in developing the strategy.
This submission is endorsed by:
People with disability are three times more likely to die by suicide than those without disability, with a suicide rate of 33.5 per 100,000 people compared to 11.4 per 100,000 people and a higher likelihood for LGBTIQA+ people with disability. Mental health conditions can be both a cause and effect of disability. PWDA views people with mental health conditions as people with psychosocial disability, thus the suicide rate of people with disability is higher than noted in the consultation draft.
Considering the higher risk of suicide for people with disability, we welcome the focus on key social factors of suicidal distress, as well as the identification and focus on key factors that support and strengthen each other to drive change in the system. The key social determinants identified were safety, good health, economic security, social inclusion and ability to navigate key life transitions.
We recommend that the strategy directly links with all outcome areas of the Australian Disability Strategy (not just the safety, rights and justice outcome area)
PWDA recommends the strategy also include and improve the representation of people with disability, including First Nations and LGBTIQA+ people with disability, in:
- the development of both the 2024-2029 and 2030-2034 implementation plans for the strategy
- data improvement plans, to improve the data visibility of people with disability, First Nations peoples, and LGBTQIA+ people
- monitoring and evaluation framework/s of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy model, and
- participation of Disability Representative Organisations in the NSPO Lived Experience Partnership Group, Advisory Board and any other relevant working group.
Including people with disabilities in decision-making is essential to making the strategy work. Particularly with expected increase in community and mainstream mental health supports following the roll-out of ‘foundational supports’ across Australia.
Survey questions
PWDA submission also includes answers to the targeted survey questions.
How well does the advice on the strategy articulate what is required for long-term change in suicide prevention?
Is there anything critical to preventing suicide in Australia that the Advice on the Strategy does not address
Which actions do you think are the highest priority? (Please list up to 5 actions and include action numbers)
Ends | Contact us